巴別塔慶典 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 吳青峰

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language is about more than just words; it's about understanding and connection. Wu Tsing-fong's “巴別塔慶典” masterfully plays with this idea. The song's clever and poetic Mandarin lyrics challenge us to think about how we communicate. By exploring the song's rich metaphors, you can not only improve your language skills but also gain a deeper appreciation for the nuances of human interaction. Its unique and theatrical musical style makes the learning process both exciting and thought-provoking.

[English]

A faint scent of failure from the future clings to him

He chews deeply on ancient prejudices flavored with curry

His smile secretly plans the next person’s oiling

His eyes reflect a wickedness that’s different from his words

Talking and laughing, but no one truly knows

Crying, praying, yet beyond repair

Who says we can grasp the meaning just like that?

Communication fails; I can't hear a thing

This is the kingdom of speaking to oneself—welcome

Here, talking nonsense is what's normal

There’s all kinds—nothing too strange, all walks of life, yeah

No listening here, day or night, yeah

He’s written a whole series of novels, claiming they come from heaven

He’s shouted to a crowd who think they’re the highest

They hold onto the word ‘love,’ yet their spirits are hollow and fragile

They can’t even face each other and understand anymore

Talking and laughing, but no one truly knows

Crying, praying, yet beyond repair

Who says we can grasp the meaning just like that?

Communication fails; I can't hear a thing

This is the kingdom of speaking to oneself—welcome

Here, talking nonsense is what's normal

There’s all kinds—nothing too strange, all walks of life, yeah

No listening here, day or night, yeah

When did we forget our Names?

When did we only see ourselves?

When did we get trapped here?

When can’t we take in anything anymore?

Two selves wear masks

One looks better than it sings

The other can’t even see themselves clearly

I can't hear a thing, I can't hear a thing

This is the kingdom of speaking to oneself—welcome

Here, talking nonsense is what's normal

There’s all kinds—nothing too strange, all walks of life, yeah

No listening here, day or night, yeah

This is the kingdom of speaking to oneself—welcome

Here, talking nonsense is what's normal

There’s all kinds—nothing too strange, all walks of life, yeah

No listening here, day or night, yeah

Yeah-yeah

...

[Chinese]

他的身上淡淡飄落著來自未來失敗氣味

他的嘴裡深深咀嚼著咖哩口味古老偏見

他的微笑偷偷計畫著在誰額上塗油的念

他的眼睛明明反映著和嘴表裡不一的邪

有說有笑 卻無人知曉

哭鬧 祈禱 卻不可救藥

誰說有效能夠明其妙?

溝通無效 我全都聽不到

這裡是自說自話王國 歡迎光臨

在這裡胡言亂語才是正常事情

這裡有不倫不類 有各行各業 yeah

在這裡不聽人話也不分晝夜 yeah

他編寫了小說一系列 他說那是來自上天

他吆喝了群眾一大堆 他們自以為最高貴

他們抓著愛這個字彙 心靈是華麗的乾癟

他們卻連互相面對面都已無法稍微理解

有說有笑 卻無人知曉

哭鬧 祈禱 卻不可救藥

誰說有效能夠明其妙?

溝通無效 我全都聽不到

這裡是自說自話王國 歡迎光臨

在這裡胡言亂語才是正常事情

這裡有不倫不類 有各行各業 yeah

在這裡不聽人話也不分晝夜 yeah

什麼時候忘記了姓名?

什麼時候眼裡只有自己?

什麼時候困在了這裡?

什麼時候什麼都聽不進去?

兩個自己戴上了面具

表面那個說得比唱好聽

心裡那個自己都看不清

我全都聽不到 全都聽不到

這裡是自說自話王國 歡迎光臨

在這裡胡言亂語才是正常事情

這裡有不倫不類 有各行各業 yeah

在這裡不聽人話也不分晝夜 yeah

這裡是自說自話王國 歡迎光臨

在這裡胡言亂語才是正常事情

這裡有不倫不類 有各行各業 yeah

在這裡不聽人話也不分晝夜 yeah

Yeah-yeah

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
未來 (wèilái) /weɪ laɪ/ B1	noun - future
失敗 (shībài) /ʃɨˈbaɪ/ B1	noun - failure verb - to fail
氣味 (qìwèi) /t͡ɕʰi˥˩ weɪ˥˩/ B2	noun - smell, odor
咀嚼 (jǔjué) /t͡ɕy˨˩ t͡ɕɥɛ˧˥/ C1	verb - to chew; to ponder
咖哩 (gālí) /ka li/ A2	noun - curry
口味 (kǒuwèi) /kʰoʊ weɪ/ B1	noun - taste, flavor
古老 (gǔlǎo) /ku lɑʊ/ B1	adjective - ancient, old
偏見 (piānjiàn) /pʰjɛn ʨjɛn/ B2	noun - prejudice, bias
計畫 (jìhuà) /t͡ɕi˥˩ xwɑ/ A2	noun - plan verb - to plan
額 (é) /ɤ/ B2	noun - forehead
反映 (fǎnyìng) /fɑn yɪŋ/ B1	verb - to reflect, to mirror
王國 (wángguó) /wɑŋ kwo/ B1	noun - kingdom
胡言亂語 (húyánluànyǔ) /xu jɛn lwan y/ C1	verb - to talk nonsense
正常 (zhèngcháng) /ʈ͡ʂɤŋ ʈ͡ʂʰɑŋ/ A2	adjective - normal, regular
晝夜 (zhòuyè) /ʈ͡ʂoʊ jɛ/ B2	noun - day and night

Key Grammar Structures

• 他的身上淡淡飄落著來自未來失敗氣味

  ➔ Using the verb 飄落著 (piāoluòzhe) to indicate an ongoing action or state

  ➔ The particle 著 (zhe) indicates the continuous aspect of the verb '飄落' (to drift/fall), emphasizing the ongoing situation

• 他的嘴裡深深咀嚼著咖哩口味古老偏見

  ➔ Using the verb 咀嚼著 (jǔjuézhe) to denote the ongoing act of chewing

  ➔ The particle 著 (zhe) indicates that the chewing action is ongoing or continuous

• 他的微笑偷偷計畫著在誰額上塗油的念

  ➔ Using the verb 計畫著 (jìhuàzhe) to denote an ongoing or concealed planning

  ➔ The particle 著 (zhe) signifies that the planning is ongoing or secretive

• 有說有笑 卻無人知曉

  ➔ Using the structure 有...有... (yǒu... yǒu...) to express 'have... and...'

  ➔ The pattern 有...有... (yǒu... yǒu...) expresses the presence of two qualities or actions simultaneously

• 誰說有效能夠明其妙?

  ➔ Using the verb 能夠 (nénggòu) to express ability or capability

  ➔ The structure 能夠 + verb indicates the capability to perform the action

• 溝通無效 我全都聽不到

  ➔ Using the adjective 無效 (wúxiào) to mean 'ineffective' or 'invalid'

  ➔ 無效 (wúxiào) functions as an adjective meaning 'ineffective' or 'invalid', often used to describe responses or actions

• 兩個自己戴上了面具

  ➔ Using the phrase 了 (le) after 戴上 (dài shàng) to indicate completed action

  ➔ 了 (le) functions as a particle indicating the completion or change of state of the verb